YVR Announces Canada's First Aircraft Engine-Testing Enclosure

Richmond, B.C. (April 12, 2011): Vancouver Airport Authority today announced details of Canada’s first Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE), a state-of-the-art facility designed to minimize noise from engine run-ups that are conducted as part of regular aircraft maintenance work.

The $12-million facility, to be located adjacent to YVR’s South Terminal, will reduce the engine run-up noise heard in nearby neighbourhoods by up to 50 per cent, while providing time and fuel efficiencies to air carriers operating out of Airport South and overall environmental benefits to the entire region.

“We are incredibly pleased to embark on such a leading-edge project that not only demonstrates a commitment to our neighbours, but also to our operators and our natural environment,” said Anne Murray, Vice President, Community and Environmental Affairs, Vancouver Airport Authority. “Vancouver Airport Authority is committed to managing airport noise, balancing the community’s desire for safe, convenient, 24-hour air travel with urban living,”

The GRE is a three-sided, open-roofed enclosure, as tall as a five-storey building and built with noise-absorbing panels and perforated by several louvered vents for aerodynamic purposes. The GRE is designed to reduce engine run-up noise by absorbing and channelling sound up rather than out.

In addition to noise abatement, the GRE will provide a glycol recovery and containment area during winter de-icing operations. The GRE will also provide fuel and time efficiencies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for Airport South operators who no longer need to taxi to the designated run-up area at the west end of Sea Island.

“We have been studying the social, economic and environmental benefits of a GRE for the past three years as part of our comprehensive Noise Management Plan,” Murray said. “YVR’s engine-testing enclosure will be one of the largest construction projects undertaken on the airport’s South side in recent years and will offer our community significant benefits for years to come.”

YVR’s Noise Management Program focuses on initiatives that address aircraft noise in the community, including published noise abatement procedures, community noise information seminars, an airport noise monitoring and flight tracking system and a complaint management and response system.

Engine run-ups are mandatory by Transport Canada as part of stringent maintenance and safety standards that require operators to test engines and their components before an aircraft is put back into service. More than seven per cent of noise complaints received by YVR are related to engine run-ups.
Construction of the Ground Run-up Enclosure and adjoining apron will begin in April 2011 and is slated for completion in December 2011.

About Vancouver Airport AuthorityVancouver Airport Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that operates Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Canada's second busiest airport, YVR served 16.8 million passengers in 2010 and handled more than 293,000 aircraft landings and take-offs on its runways. Sixty-seven airlines serve YVR, connecting people and businesses to 119 destinations in Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The Airport Authority is committed to creating an airport that British Columbia can be proud of: a premier global gateway, local economic generator and community contributor.